Monday, December 26, 2016

Most households spend all day Christmas Eve making tamales. At midnight, they eat tamales and drink a cinnamon, fruit drink named Ponche. They dance, light fireworks and spend time as a family.

This year, we helped make about 30 tamales with some members. It was really fun!

I love Guatemala!!!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!!! Ours was full of fireworks, tamales, humidity and beautiful Guatemalan customs and people. I love being on a mission at Christmas and being able to share Christ's love with others and learn from the best teacher to have ever lived, Jesus Christ. Through all of our life experiences, He trains us and molds us into who He needs us to be.

On Thursday, I was feeling more tired than I had ever felt before and I did not think that I would be able to do all the things I needed to. I was going to be in another sister's area on exchanges and I really wanted to help everyone have a good experience. I was tired, but I tried to lean on the Lord. I remembered something my little sister told me in an email that Lord does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called. So, I knelt down and prayed and asked for strength. Afterwards, I can't describe what happened, but I got up and was able to go throughout the whole day. I didn't just go throughout the day, but the day was an amazing one! I felt the spirit literally pick me up and carry me.

Through this experience, I learned that the Lord loves us and does not expect us to be perfect to be his servants. When we are diligent, faithful, obedient, and are striving to do our best, the Lord's grace steps in and through the Spirit, we become better. The Lord sees our efforts and wants to bless us.

I am learning that many times, we think miracles have to be giant appearances or events, but really, every little moment can be a miracle as we recognize it. I am learning about how the Holy Ghost should be the greatest gift we strive for. We receive the spirit by our obedience. As we are obedient to God's laws, are baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we can always have the spirit with us as we strive to be better every single day. I love the Spirit. I know it was sent from God himself because He cannot be here. The Spirit makes the daily occurrences into miracles.

On Christmas, we saw many miracles! We were able to talk with many about the Gospel and share our testimonies. In church, our members fellowshipped and brought our investigators! We had many share food, testimonies and hugs with us. It was just really fantastic. In the evening, I talked to my family on Skype. That was amazing! I had really missed them. I am so grateful for my family and all they do for me!

I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He loves us and is always here for us. Prayer is powerful and the Holy Ghost will be with us to carry us as we do our best to do what the Lord asks of us.

Monday, December 19, 2016

I am very grateful to have the opportunity to spend another Christmas here in Guatemala. It is a beautiful country with magical people and means even more to me because I have found my Savior's love and learned so much about his plan of happiness serving here as a full time missionary. A mission is something sacred that goes by so quickly. I cannot believe how fast 2016 has gone. Even though there have been trials, I hardly remember them. The Lord is molding us constantly!

This Christmas, I want to testify to all of you that I know my Savior lives. I know He loves me. I know He is always here for every single one of us. He died for us and was resurrected so we could have the hope that there are always new beginnings. I love the Atonement. It strengthens me every single day as I go to my Savior in prayer and pour out my heart. I know that because of the Atonement, we are able to forgive and be forgiven of every sin we have ever committed. I love the Plan of Salvation and the hope I have of becoming like my Savior as I live the life He needs me to live.

It is interesting that even as a missionary, where we are preaching the gospel all day long, we can still become very distracted by the little unimportant things, like taking pictures and having parties, etc. etc. I have been reflecting on what is really important and at this Christmas season, I hope we can all remember the most important things... our Savior Jesus Christ, the many blessings we have, and the love we can share with all around us! Jesus is joy, peace, love, and tranquility.

I love you all and hope you have a very merry Christmas!
XOXO
Hna Jessop

Monday, December 12, 2016

This week, I had transfers to Pedregal, by Retalhuleu. I love my area! It is small, but really quaint and the members are really supportive. My companions are Hna Clifford and Hna Hopper. It is fun to be in a trio! I am learning a lot from both of them and am looking forward to this transfer!

Things I remembered this week...

1. Obedience is the first and most important law in life. If we are obedient to God's commandments, He blesses us with the Holy Ghost, which is the most important gift we can have. The Holy Ghost edifies, heals, strengthens and blesses us. It helps us to know the truth of all things.

2. Our own personal conversion is the key to the mission. BUT, we cannot be converted unless we do the missionary work. A mission is about doing all the Lord ask of us when He asks us to do it. That is where our true conversion comes from. It comes as we serve others in the Lord's way.

3. It is important to have integrity. Having integrity includes having integrity for who we are. We have the responsibility as humans to share who we are with those around us. We were born to be who we are!

4. We, as humans, cannot run faster than we have strength. We all need time to rest and rejuvenate.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Hope you all had a fantastic week! This year, the church has launched a Christmas Initiative. It is a way that we can focus more on serving others this time of year! If you have not seen the video, go to mormon.org. There is a service video for every single day of the week. It is really incredible and easy! This week, we have been focusing on really doing service projects and using service to teach the gospel! We have seen a lot of miracles.

On Friday, we were looking for some service opportunities. We talked to a local business who said they didn't need our help with anything, but they referred us to a lady up the street who owns a store. We went and talked to her and as we got to know her, she opened up about her life, trials, dreams and desires. She listened as we taught her about the Restoration. As we finished, she told us she wanted to go to church on Sunday. She showed up on Sunday with her four daughters! Then, in the night, she went to the Christmas Devotional and really liked it. She is definitely a prepared person and we are grateful to be able to teach her!!

Throughout the week, we were able to participate in different service activities. For this reason, it has been one of my favorite weeks in my mission. We built a house, cleaned up yards, cooked for members, etc. It was really fun and a unique experience!

I hope that everyone everywhere can get more involved in service. You don't have to do something gigantic like build a house, but look for ways to serve people around you in small ways! Service is the way to greater happiness.